How to pronounce agitate
Say it like AJ-ih-tayt. Agitate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce agitate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AJ
- ih
- tayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Agitate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- taytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of agitate
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: AJ-ih-tayt.
What does agitate mean?
- To disturb or excite; to perturb or stir up (a person).“He was greatly agitated by the news.”
- To cause to move with a violent, irregular action; to shake.“to agitate water in a vessel”
- To participate in political agitation (sense 3).
Where does agitate come from?
From Middle English agitat(e) (“set in motion”), borrowed from Latin agitātus, perfect passive participle of agitō (“to put in motion”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), frequentative of agō (“to drive, move, push”), see -tō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying agitate
How do you pronounce agitate?
Say AJ-ih-tayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈædʒɪteɪt/. In British English it is /ˈædʒɪˌteɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in agitate?
Agitate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AJ). Broken into parts: AJ · ih · tayt.
Is agitate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈædʒɪˌteɪt/ (AJ-ih-tayt).